Orcas pods swam near the coast, stunning Seattle spectators and dealt with the unusual sight of a pinnacle predator hunting whale watchers.
The Big Killer Whale Pod visited Elliot Bay and apparently hunted underwater, just off Seattle's maritime industrial dock. The pod left the bay near the West Seattle area across from downtown, where people waited for them to see them.
Kersti Muul, who runs the Seattle-area WhatsApp whale alert system called “Salish Wildlife Watch,” recorded footage as the whale appeared just below the observation deck.
One of the whales was seen catching a bird and taking it under the water, causing gasps from onlookers.
It was “a once in a lifetime experience for West Seattle. Not only does it have to be a whale's proximity, but also to witness rarely seen behaviours, and it also chases and catches Grave,” Mull said in the text. “My eyes dived back and forth so that the community's response and orcas just under our feet could be seen underwater.”
Big killer whales are orcas that usually prey on marine mammals such as sea lions and mice. They sometimes visit the waters off Seattle, and both dedicated and casual whale watchers hide them as they explore. The pod, spotted on Sunday, has ventured into Seattle waters several times over the past month.
“It's definitely a bonding experience for the community,” Mule said. “And my hope is that these moments stimulate the adoration and awareness of wildlife in our backyard city.”
